Cryptic text messages about ‘music research’ could hold crucial clues after woman found dead with 31 stab wounds

KRYPTIC text messages about ‘music research’ could hold crucial clues after veterinary clinic worker found dead with 31 stab wounds.

Concert pianist Zachary David Hughes, 29, has been charged with the murder of Christina Larain Parcell, 41, at her home in South Carolina in October last year.

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Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said the victim was “murdered in a very violent manner” and described the scene as “very brutal.”

Prosecutors now want to unlock Hughes’ iPhone and have filed a request to force him to disclose the password, reports Fox Carolina.

Lawyers believe his messages could contain important clues to solving the case.

Court documents have reportedly revealed how Christina was in a “contentious” custody battle at the time of her death.

Hughes is said to have been “close friends” with the father of Christina’s child – John Mello – and the two men are said to have exchanged around 2,000 WhatsApp messages.

On the day of the murder, Mello Hughes is said to have sent a message: “How did the music research go?”

Hughes reportedly replied, “Fine, I’ll tell you on the phone.”

Christina, who worked at an animal hospital, was found dead in her own home by police officers at 11am on October 13 last year after her then-fiancé called 911 to say he had found her dead.

Hughes, who has completed six months of military training, was allegedly caught by a doorbell camera entering Christina’s apartment on the day of the horror murder.

He was also seen leaving the house on his bicycle that day.

Detectives claim DNA found under Christina’s fingernails links Hughes to the murder.

At a pretrial hearing earlier this year, Hughes pleaded not guilty to murder and possession of a gun.

He was denied bail in April and is currently being held in the Greenville County Detention Center.